I have various rockers in my head (combo of new and old). Some of the lifters are slightly springy, some of them are very soft, and some are hard spring. Any recommendations on how to tell what spec should be? If they are hard spring, should I compress them to clean out the crap oil in them?

Which one of the three (soft/medium/hard) are the lifters supposed to be? I can't find anything in the forums regarding this.

Thanks!

 

The only reliable check is to run the engine for several minutes, shut it off and then pull the valve cover off as quickly as possible. All tappets should be spring hard when they're not being compressed by a cam lobe. This means you'll have to rotate the crank by hand to check them all.

 

The Motoring Alliance site has a LONG thered where this is debated....
also "behive"vs std...."Valve Springs Discussion"..cannot link to it....sorry it gets ***** out......
but the jest of it on the MINI is you do not need super strong...you waste HP if they are too strong...
not sure if your "weak or soft"ones are aged and too weak....

A quote from DR O
others found 72-80....suggestion was to run all 80 lbs springs....
I think that is for a r53....also some r50 info i think...

 

Thanks guys - it seems somewhat arbitrary on the pressure requirements. However, sounds like they should be springy when at rest. If they are a bit stiff, can they be cleaned out by compressing the lifters out of the head?

 

Went to the dealer with my head, they checked it out and said as long as there is some play they are fine.